#MeToo: More accusations and RSS weighing in lead to MJ Akbar's exit

The RSS prevailed over BJP to ask Akbar to step down before the court proceedings began.

The Modi government had to ask junior minister for external affairs to quit as more and more accusations started pouring in almost daily and the issue gained traction beyond social media and urban centres. Even as proceedings in the defamation suit was set to begin on Thursday, the RSS too weighed in on the government.

After charges against Akbar came to the fore, the developments were monitored by the BJP brass and when party chief Amit Shah said in an interview that the charges against Akbar will have to be verified, it was seen by many as an indication that his time was up.

BJP sources said initially the leadership was led to believe that the charges may not be credible and may find resonance only on social media and some urban centres.

However, with fresh allegations tumbling out daily, it became too difficult to handle. Those who had levelled charges stood their ground and declared they would fight the case too.

“With grave charges and reiteration of the early allegations hitting headlines every day, the government was getting bad press daily. It was also felt that a Union minister at the receiving end when the proceedings in the defamation suit begins on Thursday would put the BJP and the government in an awkward position,” a BJP leader said. Murky details about Akbar’s reported conduct with several women journalists working with him and the number of complainants swelling to around three dozen also alarmed the party and the government.

The RSS prevailed over BJP to ask Akbar to step down before the court proceedings began. Senior RSS leader Dattatreya Hosabale had earlier indicated that Akbar should quit.

Feedback from even smaller cities that more people were aware of charges against Akbar than the nuances of the Rafale deal were a matter of concern, a party leader said.

“A cost-benefit analysis showed that the party was drawing flak on the issue. The general opinion seemed to be that charges against Akbar were difficult to dismiss or to be explained,” another BJP leader said. The saffron party has often claimed to be a “party with a difference” and taken a high moral ground on conduct of its members.

Akbar was left to defend himself on the issue with Union ministers and party spokespersons parrying all questions on the matter during their interactions with the media.

Party sources said Akbar was asked to explain his position on the charges and some conversations made over the phone.

“His brazen statement to the press and his coming across as arrogant also worried the party,” a BJP leader said. Akbar was dismissive about the charges, but the complainants came up with details to reiterate their stand. His stand that this was a political conspiracy ahead of elections did not gel as he was a Rajya Sabha member, a party leader said.